Gentleman Taking Leave of His Lady on a Veranda
Original title: Gentleman Taking Leave of His Lady on a Veranda
kurzbeschreibung
Suzuki Harunobu made this woodblock print in the second half of the eighteenth century. It captures a samurai taking leave of a woman on a veranda. Ink and color on paper form the base of the sheet, which brings figures, architecture, and nature together into an intimate ukiyo-e moment.
Description
On the veranda stand two figures in traditional Japanese dress. The man on the left wears a kimono with a checkered pattern and carries a katana; the woman on the right, in a kimono with floral motifs, makes a farewell gesture. Through open sliding doors, flowering trees come into view. Zori sandals lie on the floor, and a rooster has settled on a table. Muted browns dominate, interspersed with red and blue accents.
Context
Suzuki Harunobu is regarded as a pioneer of full-color woodblock printing (nishiki-e) and gave decisive impulses to ukiyo-e in the eighteenth century. The theme of courtly love and farewell in an idealized Japanese setting was widespread in the art of that time. At about 27.9 × 20.6 centimeters, the sheet corresponds to the chūban format customary for single prints.
Impact
The calm, symmetrical layout evokes a wistful mood, carried by the subdued browns and delicate blossoms. Clear lines and sparing color accents give the print an elegant, almost confidential air.
Technique
The image was printed as a woodblock print with ink and color on paper. In this technique, colors were applied to the paper in several passes with wooden blocks; Harunobu was known for his fine lines and pastel-like tones.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)